Optimization of Adaptive Rowing Seating (OARS)
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Adaptive sports programs are integral components to combating Veteran isolation, promoting wellbeing and seeking to build teams, networks, communities. These activity-based communities are medicine free treatment systems enhancing Veterans' health from a holistic perspective. This approach to Veteran healthcare is critical as studies indicate Veterans not only have 56% higher perceived social isolation but are also 1.5x more susceptible to suicide than the general public. It is imperative to improve access to exercise and physical activity through adaptive sport or recreation. This proposal is going to focus on Adaptive Indoor Rowing for Veterans with limited or changing trunk stability (i.e. SCI/D, paralysis, paresis, etc.). Rowing is a unique full-body activity that increases cardiovascular demand and increases coordination and aerobic capacity through movement. This proposal aims to address critical gaps in adaptive rowing technology and provide Veterans with limited trunk stability access to full stroke adaptive rowing.
Description
Significance to VA: Veterans with SCI/D experience limited access to physical activity due to insufficient adaptive equipment options. It is imperative to improve access to exercise and physical activity through the thoughtful design and development of adequate adaptive technologies that reduce barriers to participation. The current state of adaptive indoor rowing is ineffective at exercising the full body, which limits the improvement of cardiovascular health and neuromusculoskeletal coordination resulting in decreased benefits to Veterans and may discourage further motivation to participate.…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Non-ventilator dependent paralysis, such as: * central nervous system impairment * spinal cord injuries with single neurological level in the cervical to lumbosacral region * cerebrovascular accident with associated sequelae including but not limited to hemiparesis and spasticity * neurodegenerative disorders including but not limited to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy, and parkinsonism * Poor trunk control/stability * Ability of body structure to fit within the limits of AIRS and the rowing system * Either volitional c…
Interventions
- DeviceAdaptive Indoor Rowing Seat
Light weight adjustable indoor rowing seat for Veterans with limited trunk stability.
- DevicePaddle Sport adaptive seating system
On market comparator (discontinued) adaptive indoor rowing seat for individuals with limited trunk stability.
Locations (2)
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MNMinneapolis, Minnesota
- Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OHCleveland, Ohio